Phobic and anxiety disorders in Hispanic and Caucasian youth

Abstract

Knowledge about phobic and anxiety disorders in Hispanic youth is sparse. This study compared 99 Hispanic and 143 Caucasian youth, aged 6–17, on various sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Results indicated that Hispanics and Caucasians were remarkably similar on the majority of indices examined, including age at intake, gender, patterns of primary diagnoses, clinician interference rating, percentage with school refusal, and percentage with more than one diagnosis. Hispanic children were more likely to present with a primary diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder and were more likely to come from families with lower incomes compared to Caucasians. Hispanic parents also rated their children as more fearful than did Caucasian parents. The study's findings are viewed as an initial step in extending the existing literature on childhood anxiety disorders and Hispanic mental health.